Lyrical Flowetry

The AKC defines the Catahoula Leopard Dog as native dogs to Louisiana, whose bloodlines include bloodhounds, mastiffs, and greyhounds. The breed was named the Louisiana state dog in 1979 and has been approved to compete in AKC competitions since 2010. This breed is a unique one, especially where I live in Pennsylvania, and for this reason I wanted to share the priceless tidbits of advice I've comprised over the past 9 months of being a Catahoula mama. I'm hoping these tips will help you know what to expect and be prepared to handle the little intricacies of the breed, whether you are already a 'houla parent or you hope to be in the future. 

Feeling nostalgic, in my opinion is one of the absolute best feelings. And when that feeling is invoked about one of your own family members who is no longer with you, it’s even more heartwarming. 

As a child, every single one of my dolls were girls. They had the girliest outfits and I relentlessly doted on their hair. All of my baby doll accessories, right down to the hairbrush and bottles with magically disappearing “milk”.....were pink. I find this incredibly interesting as I was not what you would consider an overly girly child myself. I played in mud, with Matchbox cars, and had no problem competing with my older brother regarding who had the best baseball card collection. 

One of the lessons I have learned as a parent is that I will never stop wondering if I am providing the absolute best for my sons. My parents, my mom in particular, have been known to stress when thinking they hadn’t given my older brother and I the perfect childhood. Sitting here, in the glow of the ceramic Christmas tree that was hand made by my mom two years prior to my birth, I am inclined to disagree.

What would you say to the younger version of you?